15 Jarred Dill Pickle Spears, Ranked Worst To Best
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While a cucumber soaked in vinegar and spices might not seem like something people get up in arms over, pickles are actually a pretty big deal for a lot of people. Oftentimes, it may seem as if people either love a good, briny pickle or utterly hate the things. Those amongst you who hate pickles probably never want to eat them, no matter what. And people who love pickles could eat them all day long, in just about any flavor variety you can think of.
That said, if you're a fan of pickles in any capacity, then you probably have already have a favorite brand of store-bought pickles that you're loyal to. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try a new type, or at least have a backup in mind in case yours is sold out. After all, there's a whole world of pickles out there, even in your regular grocery store. These are some of the most popular jarred dill pickle spears, ranked worst to best.
15. McClure's
McClure's Garlic Pickle Spears may look pretty nice and, since you can't find them in just any grocery store, they definitely give off the appearance of being pretty darn fancy. But honestly, if you consider yourself a pickle connoisseur by any means, then we must admit that McClure's will seriously disappoint you. McClure's keeps its ingredients pretty simple, with just cucumbers, vinegar, garlic, dill, and salt. However, that streamlining doesn't mean they're all that great. In fact, they're rather bland, soft, and may be a bit too heavy on the garlic for some.
"These pickles are soft not crunchy and have a very pronounced garlic taste on the back end. I ate one and think I'm going to throw the rest in the garbage," one reviewer stated. What's more, McClure's is a lot more expensive than your standard pickles, making them even more of a let-down. Ultimately, while these might seem gourmet, they aren't worth your time or money.
14. Pickerfresh
Because pickles are such a popular snack and food item, it makes sense that there would be a ton of different brands out there. That includes one variety that you might not have even heard of: Pickerfresh. But are they worth checking out? Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Spears are made with a pretty limited list of ingredients. Namely, those ingredients are cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, dill, garlic, red pepper, calcium chloride, and the rather vaguely defined "flavorings" (though plenty of other brands pull the same trick). But even though the ingredients list is pretty limited (usually a good thing with pickles), the sort of flavor we were hoping for just doesn't come through.
Other eaters agree with us. "Tastes like straight vinegar!" one reviewer stated. "Nothing special," another added. Not only are these pickles pretty hard to actually find and purchase in the United States, but they also aren't really worth the effort of tracking them down, potentially paying for shipping, and hoping they arrive at your home whole.
13. Great Value Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
Great Value Kosher Dill Pickle Spears from Walmart's generic brand aren't terrible, per se, but this is definitely a case of getting what you pay for. First, these are a bright, almost lime-green color that you might associate most with pickles, which is courtesy of the turmeric extract on the ingredients list. These aren't exactly the most natural kind of pickles out there, and it seems as though all those ingredients don't help with the flavor, either.
Reviews of Great Value's pickle spears show that the product isn't the best. "They were the toughest and worst tasting dill pickles I have ever eaten. I tried to eat one and put [the rest of the jar] in garbage," one reviewer explained. "Too soft and not crisp at all," another added. A soft pickle is just about the last thing any true pickle lover actually wants, so your best bet is to steer clear from this underwhelming offering.
12. Sechler's Sweet Dill Strip Pickles
Sechler's Sweet Dill Strip Pickles are certainly a different take on dill pickles, but that doesn't mean they're actually tasty. Now, of course, a taste of sugary sweet pickles isn't everyone's cup of tea, but even fans of a sweeter pickle don't necessarily like Sechler's over other brands. Not only are Sechler's pickles rather difficult to find in stores and more expensive than most pickle brands, but the taste is frequently pretty disappointing.
"Disgusting chemical taste, a complete waste," one reviewer said. Some even wondered if there was some sort of quality control issue with the pickles, pointing to weirdly tough vegetable skins. If you want a sweet dill pickle, then don't waste your time trying this brand. Between the odd taste (even for a sweet pickle) and the inconsistent consistency of the veggies inside the jar, the effort of opening the lid may not be worth your time.
11. Signature Kitchens Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
Signature Select Kosher Dill Pickle Spears can be found at grocery stores across the U.S., including Albertsons and Safeway. To that end, the ingredients are what you would expect from a generic pickle brand: cucumbers, water, salt, vinegar, calcium chloride, "natural flavors", polysorbate 80, and yellow 5 food dye (the last of which isn't strictly vegan, by the way). That said, these pickles certainly aren't the worst, but these bright green pieces of cucumber are still far from the best.
The Signature Kitchens Kosher Dill Pickle Spears definitely taste like a standard dill pickle, and they're often pretty crunchy. However, because they appear to lack dill and garlic, they're mediocre when it comes to taste and flavor. That said, while these pickles are pretty blah, they're also pretty cheap. You could definitely do worse than these dill pickle spears, especially if they're all you've got at a cookout. Yet you could also do significantly better.
10. Wickles Dirty Dill Spears
When you think of dill pickle spears, you usually think of something a salty, garlicky, and savory. But there are also some pickle spears that are sweet or even spicy. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, then Wickles Dirty Dill Spears might be for you.
That said, some of the reviews of Wickles Dirty Dill Spears make it clear that these aren't for everyone. "Terrible," one person simply wrote. On the other hand, if you're a fan of spicy foods, then these pickles might be perfect for you. "We really like these! Spice & zest is definitely there, so if you don't like spicy these aren't for you. The flavor is better than other spicy pickles," another reviewer added. If you want to try a spicier pickle option, then Wickles might be perfect for you. However, just be aware that the heat and spice mean that these pickles aren't exactly an easy introduction for the pickle-averse.
9. Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears
If you're looking for a dill pickle spear that you can find in almost every store, won't decimate your wallet, and are pretty mild in taste, then Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears are worth a shot. The pickles are your standard store-bought jarred stuff, with that bright green color you've come to expect from pickles with that ever-present yellow 5 dye. They also include sodium benzoate, a preservative that's either harmless or to be avoided, depending on who you ask (via Healthline).
Then again, there's nothing wrong with Mt. Olive Dill Pickle Spears — but neither are they truly exciting. What's more, those artificial ingredients and additives in the mix subtract a few points in our book. Still, people love them. "Excellent taste and crunchy," one reviewer wrote of the pickles. So, while the taste of Mt. Olive's Kosher Dill Spears is decent enough, it's clear that there are quite a few better brands out there.
8. Open Nature Dill Pickle Spears
Though it may not be the most popular brand on this list, we must admit that Open Nature does make a lot of products you can find at your local grocery store. It also paints itself as a healthy brand alternative to more expensive or easily recognized options. Its dill pickle spears are no exception, though most people argue that they remain thoroughly mediocre.
What's more, the ingredients in the Open Nature pickle spears aren't as obviously natural as their name may imply. They contain cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, gum arabic, turmeric extract, polysorbate 80, and natural flavors. Per ScienceDirect, polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant used in medications and as a food additive. It's not necessarily bad for you, but neither is it "natural."
However, these pickles are super affordable, and the Open Nature brand can be easily found in many grocery stores across the U.S. These pickles are decently tasty and very similar to other brands like Mt. Olive, placing them solidly in the middle ground.
7. Good & Gather Organic Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
Target's Good & Gather Organic Kosher Dill Pickle Spears might just surprise you. They're made up of organic cucumbers, water, organic vinegar, sea salt, calcium chloride, organic turmeric, and natural flavors, for one. And while the Good & Gather Organic Kosher Dill Pickle Spears aren't exactly amazing, it's clear a lot of people like them. What's more, the quality is pretty impressive considering the fact that they're a store brand.
Just look at the reviewers, who range from loving the Good & Gather pickles to being hugely disappointed in them. "These pickles can only be described as 'funky'. They don't quite taste like the really artificial pickles the Vlasic makes but they are nowhere near the flavor of my favorite brand, Claussen. Would not recommend," one person wrote. "Super impressed with these. Hard to find pickles that don't have artificial colors or preservatives," another added. Ultimately, these pickles are right in the middle of being incredible and incredibly bad.
6. Boar's Head Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
When you think of Boar's Head, you probably think of some pretty delicious deli meat. But the brand also makes some impressive kosher dill pickle spears, meaning you might want to grab a jar on your next grocery run.
That said, you may want to tread carefully. "The toughest skin pickle I have ever tried! Certainly not as good as Klaussen pickles and almost twice the price," one reviewer wrote. But others really seem to like the Boar's Head pickles. "These are the BEST flavored pickles ever! There are giant sprigs of dill in the jar and often pieces of other things such as garlic or carrots," another wrote.
Whether or not you consider yourself a lover of fancy pickles, these are probably worth at least one try. Yes, some people were pretty critical of them, but others can't seem to get enough, meaning that your experience of this brand is most likely up to your personal taste.
5. Trader Joe's Organic Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
It's no secret that Trader Joe's is one of the most popular grocery stores out there. In fact, the store basically has a cult following. With that in mind, just about all of the Trader Joe's brands of products are pretty top-tier if you ask loyal customers, including the chain's Organic Kosher Dill Pickle Spears.
The ingredients in the Trader Joe's Organic Kosher Pickle Spears are actually pretty impressive, given that they steer clear of any artificial additions. While there may still be more ingredients than you might expect from an organic pickle, the taste is still pretty good and it's nice to not consume any unnecessary food dyes. "These pickles just taste good and fresh, with a crunchy, firm bite. Eat right from the jar or snuggle up in a bun with a hot dog, these guys are good to go," one clearly satisfied reviewer of the pickles wrote.
4. Grillo's Dill Pickle Spears
If you want a pickle that not only tastes great, but is also kind of fancy, healthy, and just fun to eat, then give Grillo's Dill Pickle Spears a try. They'll look pretty great when prepared for your next charcuterie board, that's almost certain. The Italian dill spears from the brand feature a heritage recipe and are as simple as can be. The pickles are made with cucumbers, water, distilled white vinegar, salt, garlic, dill, and grape leaves. If the inclusion of whole flavorings like dill and garlic don't tell you that these pickles are going to be good, what will?
Well, maybe the reviews, of which there are plenty glowing ones that might make you want to try Grillo's Pickles the moment you see a tub in your local store. "These pickles snap and crunch and taste great!" one person wrote. All told, these pickles are tasty, crisp, and of such high quality that you'll be seriously impressed.
3. Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears
Perhaps the most popular and easily recognizable brand of jarred dill pickle spears is Vlasic. You can find them anywhere, to the point where you'd be hard-pressed to enter a grocery store of any type and not find a jar of Vlasic sitting somewhere on the shelves. They're very affordable, too, making these a frequent fridge staple. And honestly, they taste pretty great. Vlasic's Kosher Dill Spears are made with the same ingredients as many other store-bought pickle spears. They're made of cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, turmeric, polysorbate 80, and natural flavor. And, no, though you may recall food dyes from some older jars, more recent iterations are apparently dye-free.
There's something so different about Vlasic pickles that make them super popular, for a good reason. They're delicious, crisp, and simple. With these, it's clear that you don't need anything fancy to make a good pickle, something Vlasic has proven time and again.
2. Nathan's New York Kosher Spears
One of the better and more rare jarred dill pickle spears out there is Nathan's New York Kosher Spears. The brand — already widely known for its hot dogs — is pretty beloved by fans, who remain totally loyal to Nathan's pickles and for good reason. Nathan's pickles are tasty and delightfully crisp. The ingredients are pretty simple, with fresh cucumbers, water, salt, vinegar, garlic, spices, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate, natural flavors, and turmeric. Don't let that simplicity fool you, however, as they are truly great pickles.
"Nathan's Famous New York Kosher Pickle Spears are absolutely amazing. These look great on the plate next to any sandwich and they taste even better. You can't go wrong with Nathan's," one reviewer wrote. Nathan's pickles definitely remind anyone who eats one of the great and uniquely-flavored pickles you can get at a deli along with a delicious sandwich. The truth of the matter is that these are some of the best pickles out there.
1. Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
When it comes to the best of the best, Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Spears are right up there. These pickles can be found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, which means you can eat them right when you get home and have a nice, cool pickle immediately! Really, it's all the different flavors that Claussen puts in their pickles that make them the best, including the more unique flavorings in the jar. The mustard seed and dried red peppers especially provide a new depth of flavor and spice that few other jarred dill pickle spears can yet match.
They also boast a reliable texture. "These are my favorite pickles! They are crisp and have that "snap" that some other jars just don't have," one reviewer described. While it's true that Claussen pickles are a little more expensive than other brands, it clear that there's a reason for that.